Scents in the Garden: French Lavender

Lavender is probably one of the most beloved herbs of the garden, famous around the world for its soothing, long-lasting fragrance. Mentioned in literature from the Bible to Shakespeare and just about everywhere in between, lavender has been cultivated at least since Roman times. The name "lavender" has roots in several languages, usually tied to the word for "to wash", showing lavender's long use in hygiene and health.

Lavender can be difficult to grow in Florida, because while it loves heat, it's not particularly tolerant of humidity. The most widely cultivated species  is Lavandula angustifolia, usually called English Lavender though it's not native to England. This species does best in zones 5 - 8, and usually gives up here in Florida by the middle of summer. Another species, L. pinnata, sometimes called Dogtooth Lavender or Jagged Lavender, is better suited to zones 8 - 10, if the growing conditions are right.

Lavender simply can't endure having soggy roots. In areas with high summer rainfall, like Florida, this means that lavender has to be grown in very well-drained soil. In fact, lavender is best grown where pretty much nothing else will take - those sunny, poor-soil spots that drive every gardener crazy. For the past six months or so, we've been growing a variety called L. pinnata 'Serenity' in several locations around the grounds, including a large pot in full sun that receives almost no supplemental irrigation. We also have it growing in two spots where the soil is largely made up of gravel and fill dirt from a former parking lot - and the lavender loves it.

Humidity is the true test for any lavender, and we'll be watching ours this summer to see how it does when humidity is sky-high for months on end. If it survives, we'll be adding more of this hardy species to several gardens in the Tree Grove, where guests can enjoy the fragrance as part of sensory and medicinal gardens.